MAP
MAP
MapMaker: Population Then and Now: 1790, 2020
MapMaker: Population Then and Now: 1790, 2020
How has the population of the United States changed since its founding? Explore in this map.
Grades
4 - 12
Subjects
Anthropology, Human History and Cultures, Geography, History, Social Studies
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Learning materials
Instructional Links
The United States has changed a lot since its founding in 1776. It has gone from 13 states along the Atlantic coast to 50 states that span the continent and extend into the Pacific Ocean. As the US grew and changed, so did its population.
In this activity, students will use maps to investigate census data from 1790 and 2020. They will compare the total populations and demographics of locations around the United States. They will also compare the current map of the United States to a historic map from 1783 to draw conclusions about the ways the US has changed over time.
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Producer
Project Coordination
Reviewer
Curriculum Content Team
Anita Palmer - National Geographic Explorer, Project Leader and GIS Education Specialist
Chris Bunin - National Geographic Explorer, Subject Matter Expert and GIS Lead Designer
Barbaree Duke - Project Leader and GIS Education Specialist
Peter Trentacoste - Subject Matter Expert and GIS Designer
Georgeanne Hribar - GIS Designer and Reviewer
Tama Nunnelley - GIS Designer and Reviewer
Judith Painter - GIS Designer and Reviewer
Ashley Melville - Social Studies Program Specialist, Georgia
Last Updated
August 3, 2026
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